Apparatus for discharging liquids in vacuo.



No. 809,385. PATENTED JAN. 9, 1906.

J. W. LYTTON.

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No. 809,385. PATENTED JAN. 9, 1906.

J. W. LYTTON.

APPARATUS FOR DISOHARGING LIQUIDS IN VAUUO. APPLICATION FILED00T.28,1904.

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APPARATUS FOR DISGHARGING LIQUIDS IN VAGUO. APPLICATION FILEDOOT.28,1904.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

APPARATUS FOR DISCHARGING LIQUIDS IN VACUO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 1906.

Application filed October 28, 1904. Serial No. 230,393.

To (tZZ whom it may concern:

Be'it known that 1, JARARDW. LYTTON, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Portswater of condensation isagain used for feeding the boilers, it is customary to place anoiland-Water separator in theeXha-ust-pipe to' prevent, as much aspossible, any oil being carried to the boilers,which would causepriming. In connection with oil extractors or separators it is necessaryto provide a large tank for collecting the oil and water caught by theseparator, the operation of which is entirely manual and subject toattention in order to empty the tank by shutting off the connections tothe condenser and opening the airinlet, together with the water and oildischarge valve.

My invention therefore provides for an automatic apparatus for effectingthe discharge of the liquid extracted by the separator as fast as itaccumulates.

The invention consists of certain novel features shown in simpleembodiments in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisspecification, in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the re-.

ceptacle or chamber. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is asectional elevation of the snifting or quick-acting controlling-valvemechanism. Fig. 4 is a sectional plan of the plug-casing, taken on theline 1 2 in Fig. 2, the cylindrical plug being removed. Fig. 5 is anelevation of the apertured cylindrical discharge-plug and its shafts orspindles. Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the plug, showing thesnifting-valve-operating lever. Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the plug,showing the spindle for hand operation thereof. Fig; 8 is a partelevation of the receptacle and the float-operating partly-toothed wheeland its holding-pawl. Fig. 9 is a part elevation of the snifting valvebonnet arranged for steam connection. Fig. 10 is a sectional elevationof the snifting controlling-valve adapted to use steam or compressed airto blow out the receptacle when it is-located below the sewer or pointof discharge.

In the drawings like reference-numerals indicate similar parts in allthe views.

1 is the receiving chamber or receptacle, provided with a cover 1*,which is rendered removable by the stud bolts and nuts 1 2 is the bottomof the receptacle 1, which has an inclination toward the inlet 3 and theinlet non-return valve 3, the latter being placed at or near the upperpart of the receptacle 1, as shown in Fig. 1, and adapted to deliver thewater and oil from the separator or extractor to the receptacle. Theinlet-valve 5 is usually provided with a suitable strainer to preventsand and other particles from entering the receptacle and interferingwith the proper closure of the valve.

4. is the discharge end of the receptacle and has preferably a more orless angle, so that its upper portion extends outwardly, as shown. Theend 4: has an opening 4 near the bottom 2 of the chamberl, over which isexteriorly placed the plug-casing 5 and secured by means of the bolts 5upon the flange 5 6 is a divergent discharge-cavity in the plugcasing 5,which corresponds to the area of the opening or aperture 1 in the end 4of the receptacle, and its object being to allow for the angularmovement of the float-stem, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1.

7 is the plug-seat formed at the narrowest portion of the cavity 6 andterminating with the shoulder 8, thus allowing a bearing for the plug 10on the upper and lower part of its circumference, Figs. 1 and 4.

8 is a screwed end on the casing 5 for connection with the dischargenon-return valve 9, normally held shut by the atmospheric pressure,which is in turn connected to a suitable outlet-pipe 9.

10 is the cylindrical plug and is provided with a discharge-aperture 10,into which the hollow float-stem 11 is secured by screw means to thesleeve 12, placed at a tangent to the hollow float 13 and removablyfitted thereto by the union 14c. The float 13 is provided withperforations 13, Fig. 1, for the water and oil to enter and bedischarged through the stem 11, and are placed at an angle so that whenthe float is elevated by the liquid-level in the receptacle theperforations will be in an ap proximate horizontal position or asindicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. The plug is provided withspindles and 15, and are capable of being removed at will by means ofthe nuts 17.

18 is a lever secured to the square end 18 of the plug-spindle 15, Fig.5, and transmits motion to the snifting-valve by means of theconnecting-rod 19, having a rib 19 upon one of its sides to preventflexure. The rod 19 is provided with an offset or bracket 20, placed atright angles to it, through which passes the lower or screwed portion 21of the sniftingvalve stem 21.

22 is the snifting or controlling valve, and 22, Fig. 3, is a chamberformed by the valvecasing. The construction and operation of thesnifting-valve will be more fully explained hereinafter.

23 is an opening or pipe from the interior of the receptacle 1 to thesnifting-valve, which effects a connection to a part of the separator inconstant communication with the condenser or above the water-line in theextractor. The communication between the connection 23 and theequalizing-pipe 24 is controlled by certain valves, which will be morefully pointed out hereinafter.

25 is a spring encompassing the sniftingvalve spindle 21 atits threadedportion 21. The spring is placed above the offset 20, as

shown in Fig. 2, and its compression is regulated by the nut 25, so asto act as a cushion to bring the float 13 quietly at rest upon thebottom 2 of the receptacle when discharging.

26 is a spring encircling the stem 21, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, below thebracket or offset 20 and is for the purpose of overcoming theatmospheric pressure acting upon the puppetvalve of the sniftingmechanism,which quickly pulls it from its seat. The compression of thespring 26 is regulated and the adjustments retained by means of the nuts26 in Fig. 2.

27 is a hand-wheel secured upon the end of the plug-spindle 15, Figs. 5and 6, and is pro vided with ratchet-teeth 28 for engagement with thepawl 29, supported by a pin 29, and is normally held from contact withthe teeth by the spring 30. The spring 30 is secured at one end to a pin29, passing through it, and the nut or washer 29, as shown at 29 theother end of the spring being secured to the pawl, as at 30.

The object of the wheel is to operate the float 13 from the exterior ofthe receptacle, also to elevate the float a certain distance from thebottom 2 and to hold it in that position by the pawl 29, so that thevalve 22 is open to the condenser when the apparatus is first placed inposition. When thereceptacle fills, the buoyancy of the float loosensthe pawl 29,

which is kept in contact with the teeth 28 by the weight of the floatand its stem, and therefore becomes instantly disengaged by the springfrom the teeth when sufficientliquid has entered the receptacle toslightly increase the elevation of the float. As the liquid does notfall below a certain level, as in Fig. 1, the necessity of filling thereceptacle when itis first set up for operation is avoided, and the pawl29 is therefore out of service except for the purpose of cleaning.

Referring to Fig. 3, 22 is the snifting-valve casing forming the chamber22 at the termination of the connections 31 and 32, which alsocorrespond to the pipes shown at 23 and 24, respectively, in Fig. 1.

The object of the equalizing-pipe 24 is to afford a passage for the airwhich may leak into the chamber or receptacle 1 in addition to theexhaustion thereof by the pipe, so as not to interfere with the liquidentering the receptacle through the opening or pipe 3.

33 is the puppet snifting-valve, normally held away from the seat 34 andopening the connection 32 to the condenser, though in Fig. 3 the valveis shown closed to the vacuum, in which position the receptacle is beingdischarged. The valve 33 is beveled or rounded, as at 34, to fit intothe seat 34, which is correspondingly beveled in order to form a tightconnection between it and the valve.

34 is a disk-shaped upper portion formed with the valve 33, its object.being to delay the full opening from the condenser after the beveledportion 34 has left the seat 34, the disk portion 34 being of aslightly-smaller diameter than the valve-seat opening.

The valve 33 is provided with wings 35, which are long enough to afforda guide for the valve until a piston, to be described later, has cut offcommunication with the atmosphere.

36 is a neck or sleeve to which is attached a piston of some expansiblematerial, preferably of rubber, which is held against the collar 39 bythe washer 40 and the adjusting-nut 41. Pressure is exerted by means ofthe nut, which expands the piston, so as to enable it to movably fitair-tight in the sleeve 42 when the valve 33 leaves its seat.

43 is a beveled upper portion of the sleeve 42 to more readily cause thepiston to enter it.

44 is an annular clamping-flange on the sleeve 42 in order to secure itat the proper distance in the chamber 22 by means of the clamping nut orring 44.

45 is a bonnet portion of the sleeve 42 and is provided with suitableperforations 46 to enable the atmospheric pressure to flow into thechamber 22 and therefore into the receptacle 1 when the valve 33 isseated, as in Fig. 3.

47, Fig. 2, represents connections for the water-gage 48.

49 is a drain-opening.

is a combined pressure and vacuum gage,

51 being a pipe from the point of connection 52 onthe cover 1 to thegage.

As shown in Fig. 3, the stem 21 is screwed into the sleeve 36, asindicated by dotted lines.

I will now describe my invention as equipped with the snifting mechanismshown in Fig. 3. The pressure-connected snifting-valve will be describedhereinafter.

As already described, after the apparatus is connected to theoil-separator or vacuum device it is necessary to move the wheel 27 tothe right and cause the pawl 29 to engage a tooth thereof in order tohold the float a certain distance from the bottom of the receptacle,which causes the valve 33 to be open, and thus produces a vacuum withinthe receptacle, 1 and at the same time excluding the atmosphere by meansof the piston 38, which enters the sleeve 42 simultaneously with theopening of the valve 33. After the float has risen to the top of thereceptacle, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, it will fill and settleto the bottom, as in Fig. 1, thereby closing communication with thecondenser by means of the valve 33 and opening the interior of thereceptacle to the atmosphere, which instantly closes the inle t-valve 3and when this takes place the outlet-valve 9 will open and the water orother liquid will flow from the receptacle through the stem 11 and theplug 10 by gravity until the liquid-level has fallen to about the heightindicated in Fig. 1. At this point the float will empty through itssteam causing it to rise its buoyancy, which will compress the spring 26to a proper degree to enable it to overcome the atmospheric pressure andquickly pull the valve 33 from its seat. The receptacle will thenproceed to fill. The piston 38 having a smaller area than the valve, itwill not offer the same resistance to the spring when the vacuum isestablished as the valve when it is closed. As already described, whenthe valve 33 opens it causes the piston 38 to cut off communication withthe atmosphere, in which instance the liquid matter will flow into theinlet-valve 3 the outlet-valve 9 being held shut by the atmos- 5 phericpressure.

Referring to Fig. 10, in which is shown the snifting,equalizing,orcontrolling valve mechanism adapted to discharge the receptacle by steamor compressed-air pressure when it is located below the point ofdischarge-for instance, in large buildings having the steam plantlocated from ten to twenty feet below the sewer-pipe line, in which casemy invention would not be adapted for such use unless it was providedwith a pressure connection to blow out the receptacle or a pump attachedto the discharge-outlet when the liquid can- The snifting-valve isprovided with a cylindrical piston or plug 53, which is a part of thespindle 21 and is held against the sleeve 36 of the valve 33 at thejoint 53, by which they may be detached.

The piston 53 is connected to the valve-stem enlargement 54 by thespindle portion 5 1. The piston 53, the stem enlargement 54:, the upperstem portion 54, and the stem 21 are preferably in one piece. The piston53 and the cylindrical enlargement 54. are of equal diameters for thepurpose of balancing them when the valve 33 is open to the condenser. 55is a plug-casing having a screwed portion 55 for attachment to the mainvalve-casing 22 and forms a cylindrical or annular bevelended passage,as at 56 and 56 to be opened and closed by the piston 53. The cavity 57forms a passage for the steam or compressed air from the aperture 57 andthe pipe 57 attached to a suitable pressure-supply. 58 is packingmaterial compressed to a proper degree to render the stem enlargement 5L steam and air tight by means of the gland 58 and the clamp-nut 58 Inusing the steam injection an excess of pressure within the receptacle 1is relieved by the safety-valve 59 in Fig. 1. The operation of themechanism described is precisely the same as that of the valve shown inFig. 3, with the exception that steam or compressed air is beingadmitted into the receptacle instead of the atmosphere when dischargingits contents, as in the position shown in Fig. 10, until the valve 33leaves its seat 34: and closes the steam inlet through the cavity orpassage 56 and opens the receptacle to the vacuum.

I am not confined to the exact details of construction shown, as I maymake such modifications as may be deemed advisable without departingt'rom the subject-matter claimed.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1s-

1. A vacuum-trap comprising a casing having a pressure-controllingdevice for admitting a fluid under pressure into the casingavacuum-controlling device for exhausting the casing of pressure, andmechanism controlling the said devices to alternately connect the casingwith a pressure-supply and a vacuum apparatus.

2. A vacuum-trap comprising a casing having an inlet and a discharge, apressure-controlling device for admitting a fluid under pressure intothe said casing, a vacuum-controlling device for exhausting the casingof pressure,'and a float-controlled mechanism actuated by the rising andfalling of the liquid in the said casing and controlling the saiddevices. v

3. A vacuum-trap comprising a casing having an inlet and a discharge, apressure-controlling device for admitting a fluid under pressure intothe said casing, a vacuum-controlling device for exhausting the casingof pressure, and a float-controlled mechanism actuated by the rising andfalling of the liquid in the said casing and controlling the safetydevices, to alternately connect the said casing with a pressure-supplyand a vacuum apparatus.

4C. In an apparatus of the class described comprising aliquid-receptacle, means for connecting the said receptacle to a vacuum,valve means forming an outlet for the receptacle to the atmosphere,means for alternately closing the said vacuum connection and the outlet,and exterior controlling means for governing the period of opening andclosing to the vacuum source and the outlet to the atmosphere; asdescribed.

5. In an apparatus for receiving and discharging liquids from separatorsand the like comprising a receptacle having a normally open connectionto the vacuum and closed to the atmosphere, means for closing the vacuumconnection when discharging to the atmosphere and in a reverse order,and float-actuated exterior means connected to the vacuum source and theatmosphere for controlling the said opening and closing of thereceptacle to the vacuum and the exterior thereof; as clescribed.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, of a closed receptacle havinga normally open inlet connection to a vacuum and liquid source, anormally closed outlet connection to the atmosphere, automatic means forclosing the vacuum and liquid connection when the said atmosphericconnection is open, means for closing the said connections in a reverseorder, means for closing one connection before opening the other,exterior-disposed vacuum and atmospheric-pressure communicating meansactuated by the float for controlling the receptacle connections, andpressure means for forcing the receptacle contents to the atmosphere; asdescribed.

7. In an apparatus of the class described comprisingaclosed vacuousreceptacle, means for receiving liquids from oil separators andextractors under a vacuum from and discharging the same to theatmosphere, a vacuum-communicating connection to the vacuum source andthe liquid, a discharge connection normally closed to the receptacleinterior, floatcontrolled. valve means connected to thevacuous-receptacle interior and the atmosphere and governing the saidconnections, means for opening the receptacle interior to the vacuumduring the filling thereof, means for admitting atmospheric pressure tothe said receptacle when discharging, and exterior means for causing adischarge of the receptacle independent of the float; as described.

8. In an apparatus of the class described comprising a closedliquid-receptacle having connection to a source of vacuum and theliquid, an outlet connection normally closed by atmospheric pressure, aliquid-level-actuated exteriorly-disposed valve means connected to thevacuum and the atmosphere, means controlled by the said valve forexcluding the atmosphere when the receptacle is filling with the liquid,means for admitting the atmosphere when the receptacle is discharging,and automatic means controlled by the float for closing one receptacleconnection before another is open; as described.

9. In an apparatus of the class described comprising avacuous receptaclehaving a normally open vacuum communicating liquid-inlet, an outlet tothe exterior of the receptacle normally closed by atmospheric pressure,equalizing means connected to the vacuum source and the receptacleinterior, means controlled by the said equalizing means for maintaininga vacuum when the receptacle is filling with the liquid, meanscontrolled by the equalizing means to close the vacuum connection andadmit atmospheric air When the receptacle is discharging to the exteriorof the said receptacle, liquid-level controlling means for automaticallyoperating the equalizing means and means exterior to the receptacle foractuating the equalizing means independent of the liquid-level in thereceptacle; as described.

10. In an apparatus for discharging liquids in oacuo, comprising aclosed receptacle having an outlet connection and a normally open vacuum-communicating inlet-valve, a floatcontrolled snifting-valve normallyopen to the vacuum, means for simultaneously closing the saidsnifting-valve to the vacuum and opening thereof to the atmosphere; asdescribed.

11. In an apparatus for discharging liquids under a vacuum comprising avacuum-chamber having inlet and outlet valves normally closed byatmospheric pressure, an exteriorlydisposed snifting-valve having anormal communication with the said chamber and the vacuum source, floatcontrolling means for simultaneously closing the said snifting-valve tothe vacuum connection and opening the same to the atmosphere whendischarging the chamber, and means for delaying the full opening of thesnifting-valve; as described.

12. In an apparatus for discharging liquids in cacao comprising a closedvacuous receptacle, a vacuum-connected inlet-valve normally discharginginto the said vacuous receptacle, a discharge-valve normally closed byatmospheric pressure, afloat-actuated controlling-valve normally incommunication with the vacuum and the receptacle interior, means forsimultaneously closing the said controllingvalve to the vacuum and thereceptacle and admitting the atmosphere thereto during a discharge ofthe liquid, and means for forcing the discharge of the receptacle bypressure; as described.

13. In an apparatus for collecting and discharging liquids under avacuum comprising a vacuous receiving-chamber having a liquidinlet valvenormally open to the said chamber and the vacuum source, means forclosing the said inlet-valve when air is admitted to the connected tothe vacuum source and the in-* terior of the chamber, means for causingthe said controlling-valve to remain open to the vacuum and the chamberduring the filling thereof, and means for closing the controlling-valveto the vacuum and admitting air to the chamber during its discharge; asdescribed.

1 1. In an apparatus for discharging accumulated liquids under a vacuumthe combination with a normally vacuous receptacle, a vacuumconnectednormally open inlet-valve, a normally closed receptacle discharge-valve,a float-controlled normally open angle-valve for connection to thevacuum source and the receptacle interior, means for simultaneouslyclosing the said angle-valve to the vacuum and the said receptacleinterior and admitting the atmosphere thereto, means for closing thesaid inlet-valve to the vacuum and liquid by atmospheric pressure, andmeans for opening the said discharge-valve by the weight of the liquidfor emptying the receptacle when the atmosphere is admitted; asdescribed.

15. In an apparatus for discharging liquids under a vacuum, thecombination with a vacuous-closed receptacle, a vacuum-connectednormally open inlet-valve, a normally closed discharge-valve, an anglecontrolling sniftingvalve connected to and normally open to the vacuumand the interior of the receptacle, means for simultaneously closing thesaid controlling-valve and admitting the atmosphere to the receptacle,float means for regulating the opening and closing of thecontrollingvalve, and means for closing the vacuum connections of thereceptacle by automatic means when discharging; as described.

16. In an apparatus for automatically discharging liquids under avacuum, comprising a closed chamber having a vacuum-connectedliquid-inlet valve, a normally closed outlet- Valve, an opening at oneend of the receptacle, a flanged eXteriorly-disposed plug-casinghavin gan inward divergent cavity, a plug-seat centrally located in the saidcavity, a float-actuated apertured plug normally oscillating in the seatduring changes in the liquid-level in the receptacle, the said plugadapted to rest upon the seat partially on its circumference, adischarge-orifice at the smaller end of the divergent cavity for thesaid outlet-valve, and

means for keeping the liquid in the receptacle in contact with theoutlet-valve until the opening thereof; as described.

17. In an apparatus for discharging liquids in a vacuum, the combinationwith a closed vacuum-chamber having an inlet and outlet valveconnection, an aperture in the said chamber, a plug-casing exteriorlyfixed over the said aperture, the said casing having aninwardly-divergent cavity, a raised seat therein, 7

a float-controlled perforated cylindrical plug adapted for rotarymovement in the raised seat, means for discharging the chamber throughthe plug to the-outlet-valve; as described.

18. In an apparatus for discharging liquids in a vacuum, the combinationcomprising a vacuous receptacle having an inlet connected to the sourceof liquid and the vacuum, a discharge-valve, a plug-casing disposed uponthe exterior of the receptacle, a transversely-disposedpartly-cylindrical seat inclosed therein, a cylindrical plug in the seathaving a diametrical perforation therethrough, an interiorlydivergentcavity within the said plug-casing on both sides of the plug-seat to theinterior of the receptacle and the outlet-valve, a floatconnected stemsecured in the said plug perforation, means for causing a, semirotarymovement of the plug by the said stem when actuated by the liquid-levelin the receptacle, means for effecting a discharge of the liquid throughthe stem to the outlet-valve and the atmosphere, and means for openingthe said outlet-valve by the hydrostatic head of the liquid when aplenum is established in the receptacle; as described.

19. In an apparatus for discharging liquids under a vacuum, thecombination with a vacuous liquid-receiving chamber having an inlet andoutlet connection, an angle air and vacuum controlling valve, adetachable cover on the said chamber, an eXteriorly-disposed plugcasingconnected to the said chamber and outletvalve, a rotary perforated plugseated centrally within thecasing, a hollow dischargestem fitted at oneend to the said plug perforation, a perforated float connected to theother end of the stem, means for discharging the chamber and floatthrough the perforations thereof to the outlet, means for maintaining achannel-way for the liquid to the outlet-valve at any inclination of thesaid floatstem, means for breaking the vacuum in the chamber during adischarge thereof, and means for automatically restoring the vacuouscondition in the chamber after the said discharge; as described.

20. In an apparatus for discharging liquids under a vacuum, thecombination with a vacuous receptacle having inlet and outletconnection, an eXteriorly-connected flanged partlycylindrical casingupon the said receptacle, a rotary plug provided with an axial spindleon both sides thereof, centrally located in the said casing, the saidplug having a diametrical aperture therethrough, a hollow stem securedin the said aperture, an angular perforated float connected to one endof the stem, an angle vacuum and air valve controlling the passage fromthe vacuum and the interior of the receptacle, a lever on one of thesaid plugspindles, connecting means from the said lever for controllingthe said angle-valve by the float; as described.

21. In an apparatus for receiving and discharging liquids under avacuum, the combination with a normally closed vacuous receptacle havinginlet and outlet connection, an outside connected flanged plug-casinghaving the said outlet-valve thereon, a rotary aperturedspindle-provided plug centrally disposed within the said casing, ahollow stem fixed at one end to the plug, a hollow liquid-receivingdischarge-float attached to the said stem at a tangent thereof, the saidfloat having perforations placed at an angle and adapted to assume anapproximate horizontal position when elevated, an angle valve connectedto the source of vacuum and the interior of the receptacle, an arm onone of the plug-spindles, means for operating the angle-valve by thesaid arm, and a wheel on the other plug-spindle for manually raising andlowering the float from the exterior of the receptacle; as described.

22. In an apparatus for discharging liquids in a vacuum, the combinationwith a collecting vacuous chamber having inlet and outlet valves, anoutside connected flanged plug-casing, a rotary movable perforated plughaving axial spindles on both ends thereof working air-tight in thecasing, aseries of compressionnut stuffing-boxes on the casing for thesaid spindles, an angular perforated hollow float, a hollowdischarging-stem connected to the said float and plug, a lever on one ofthe said plug-spindles, an angle-valve controlling the opening to thesource of vacuum and the interior of the chamber, an operating-stem foropening and closing the angle-valve connections, a connecting-rod havinga perforated offset end at right angles to the rod, means for yieldablyconnecting the said angle-valve spindle to the said rod and through theoffset portion, means for opening the said anglevalve to the vacuum bythe said yieldableconnection and the connecting-rod, a ratchettoothedhand-wheel on one of the plug-spindles, a spring-pressed pawl engagingwith the teeth of the said wheel, means for operating the float from theexterior of the chamber, means for holding the float and stem with theattached mechanism at any point by the said wheel and pawl, and meansfor disengaging the float and stem by the pawl and spring thereofthrough the buoyancy of the inclosed float; as described.

.23. In an apparatus for discharging liquids in cacao, the combinationwith a vacuous receptacle having inlet and outlet connection,

an exteriorly-disposed plug-casing attached thereto, a rotary perforatedplug having spindles thereon and seated in the said casing, a stemconnected at one of its ends to the plug, a hollow float having angularperforations connected to the other end of the stem, an angle combinedairinlet and vacuum cut-off valve for the said receptacle, apartly-threaded working spindle for the angle-valve, an

operating-lever on one of the plug-spindles, a connecting-rod having anapertured bracket pivoted to the said lever and resiliently connected tothe angle-valve, a spring encompassing the said spindle of theangle-valve below the said bracket, means for opening the receptacleinterior to the vacuum against the pressure of the atmosphere bythe saidspring and connecting-rod, a series of adjusting and locking nuts forregulating the spring compression, a bufler-spring encircling the saidangle-valve spindle above the connecting-rod bracket, and means forcushioning the impact of the float upon the bottom of the receptacle bythe said buffer-spring; as described.

v 24:. In an apparatus for receiving and discharging liquids c'n cacao,the combination with a vacuous receptacle having inlet and outletconnection for the liquid, an angle snifting-valve comprising avalve-casing provided with a connection to the vacuum and a connectionto the interior of the receptacle, a bonnet having an inner hollowcylindrical portion and an outer rounded end perforated air-inletportion, a partly-threaded stem for float-operating the valve mechanism,a beveled valve-seat, a bevel flanged puppet-valve screw-connected tothe inner part of the valvestem, a threaded sleeve forming a part of thesaid puppet-valve, an expansible piston movably closing the bore of thehollow cylindrical bonnet portion when the puppet-valve is unseated forcommunication with the vacuum, a fixed and movable collar on the saidpuppetvalve sleeve, screw-and-nut means for compressing the collars'toexpand the piston to fill the bore of the cylindrical or sleeved bonnetportion, connecting-rod-actuated spring means for simultaneouslyunseating the said puppet-valve against atmospheric pressure and closingthe said cylindrical bonnet portion to exclude the atmosphere asdescribed.

25. In an apparatus for discharging liquids in mono, the combination ofa vacuous receptacle having inlet and outlet connection, an anglecontrolling-valve comprising a valvecasing having connection to thevacuum and the interior of the receptacle at right angles to each other,a partly-threaded valve-stem a beveled valve-seat in the saidvalve-casing, a convex-flange winged puppet-valve opening to the saidreceptacle interior and the vacuum, a threaded sleeve portion on thesaid puppetvalve, a bearing-collar on the sleeve, an expansibleperforatedpiston encircling thevalvestem, a nut-adjusted collar on thesaid valvestem, means for compressing the-said piston by the collar, anut-secured interiorly-sleeved bonnet on the said valve-casing, meansfor causing a sliding closure of the said sleeve by the piston when thepuppet-valve is unseated, a perforated outer portion of the said bonnet,means for drawing air through the said perforations to the interior ofthe receptacle when the puppetvalve is seated, and spring means for thequick opening of the said puppet-valve against the atmospheric pressure;as described.

26. In an apparatus for discharging liquids in cacao, the combination ofa vacuous receptacle having inlet and outlet connection, acontrolling-valve comprising a valve-casing, a vacuum connection and aconnection to the said receptacle interior, a float-operated stem, atapering valve-seat, a convex-flanged puppet-valve secured to the saidstem, a threaded sleeve on the said puppet-valve, a piston enlargementon the valve-stem, a plug removably fitted to the said valve-casing andprovided with a pressure-chamber, a cylindrical bore in the said plugfor the piston movement, a balancing cylindrical enlargement on thelower end of the valve-stem and fitting air and steam tight in the plug,a compressed-air and steam inlet in the said plug, means for causing apressure to enter the receptacle when the puppet-valve is seated fordischarging its contents, and means for causing the piston to close thesaid cylindrical bore when the puppet-valve is open, to exclude thepressure; as

described.

27. In an apparatus for discharging liquids in 'UCbC'LLO, thecombination with a vacuous receptacle having inlet and outletconnection, of an angle control-and shifting valve comprising avalve-casing having a vacuum and a receptacle connection, afloat-operated spindle, a plug in the said casing having a cylindricalbore and a pressure-chamber, a perforation in the plug for admittingpressure therein and to the receptacle, a beveled flanged puppet-valvenormally open to the vacuum,

apiston slidably fitting in the said bore, means for simultaneouslyclosing the said puppetvalve and admitting pressure into the receptacleto discharge its contents, means for closing the said bore by the pistonwhen the puppet-valve is open to the vacuum and the interior of thereceptacle, means for releasing an excess of pressure in the receptacle,and spring means for resiliently connecting the said puppet-valve,piston and the spindle to the float mechanism; as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto aifixed my signature in thepresence of two witnesses.

JARARD W. LYTTON.

, Witnesses:

J ETHRO PEEK, ROBERT C. IRWIN.

